Learn why your refrigerator water dispenser won’t work—so you can fix it
There are many reasons a fridge won’t dispense water.
Check the control panel first, which could be locked or malfunctioning.
Other issues could lie in the water filter, door switches, or supply lines.
A professional appliance repair pro can help identify and fix the problem.
If you discover that water is not coming out of your fridge water dispenser, you may wonder if you can fix the issue yourself or if you need to call a repair person. The good news is that while not all water dispenser repairs are DIY projects, many are—and troubleshooting can be simple. Here’s how to identify what’s wrong so you can fix the problem.
Refrigerator repairs can be complicated and hazardous to one's health. If you don't have prior experience with this project, contact a local pro to ensure the job is completed safely.
Some refrigerators have control panels with digital displays that may show error codes when water is not coming out of the fridge. If you see an error code on your display, look it up online or in your owner’s manual to learn the cause of the issue.
Models with digital control panels may also have a child lock mode. If no error code is present, see if the child lock is on. If so, hold the lock button down for at least three seconds to disable it.
Test the other buttons on the panel to see if the controller for the light or refrigerator ice maker is also not working. If the control panel isn’t working properly, it’s time to call a professional. Most refrigerator repairs cost between $200 and $500, however, the price can vary dramatically depending on the specific issue.
Replacing your water filter is a vital refrigerator maintenance task that should be done every six months. If it hasn’t been replaced for a while or isn’t installed correctly, this could block water from flowing into the ice machine or water dispenser. The cylinder-shaped water dispenser is usually located at the top of the refrigerator, but if you can’t find yours, check your owner’s manual.
Once you find the filter, replace it. Always follow manufacturer instructions when installing a water filter, as some must be soaked in water before use.
Unfortunately, clogged and dirty filters can also cause clogs in the water supply lines, so if this is where your problem originated, you may need to clean your supply lines as well.
Water dispensers do not work when the refrigerator or freezer door is open. When a door switch stops working correctly, the dispenser will mistakenly believe the door is ajar and will not release water.
Refrigerators may use a push switch or a magnetic sensor to see if the door is open. Push switches are easy to see on the door frame, so if you can’t see one, you probably have a magnetic sensor. To test a push switch, press it down to see if the refrigerator light turns off. For magnetic sensors, find the sensor in the door frame and then hold a magnet over it to see if the light turns off. Test the switch on both the freezer and refrigerator doors.
Sometimes water freezes in a refrigerator’s storage tank or water lines. If you’re experiencing this issue, see if your refrigerator or freezer temperatures are too low. The ideal temperature for a fridge is between 35 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit, while a freezer should be kept right around zero. If either the refrigerator or freezer is drastically colder, increase the temperature settings accordingly. Check back in a few days to see if the water is flowing again.
Water can’t reach your dispenser if the supply line is clogged, kinked, frozen, or disconnected. Make sure your fridge is properly connected to your home water line, then look at the supply lines on the back of the refrigerator to ensure they are not kinked, crushed, or clogged.
Crushed and kinked water supply lines can be fixed by straightening the line and taking care not to push your fridge too far back against the wall when you put it back in place. You’ll need to know how to clean a fridge water dispenser to deal with a clogged water line.
To operate properly, a fridge’s water inlet valve needs your home water supply to provide at least 20 psi. If your home’s water pressure is too low, this could be the problem. Check to see if the water supply shut-off valve is fully open, and if it is, call a plumber to address your water pressure issue.
The inlet valve is where the water enters the refrigerator after traveling through the supply lines. It is typically located under the back panel of the fridge, so you’ll need to unplug the unit and remove the rear panel to check it. You can identify the inlet valve by tracing the supply lines to find where they connect to the fridge.
Start by visually inspecting the valve for leaks or obvious damage. If it looks OK and you have a multimeter, you can test it for electronic malfunctions after disconnecting the wires attached to its solenoid coils. If the inlet valve leaks, looks damaged, or has electrical issues, it must be replaced.
When you’re done, put the inlet valve back in, replace the rear panel, and plug your fridge in again.
Most refrigerator water dispensers are activated by pushing a glass against a plastic or rubber-covered lever called an actuator. The actuator presses against a tiny button called a “micro switch.” Sometimes, actuators get stuck, so they cannot push on the micro switch.
Test these refrigerator parts by pushing on the actuator. The actuator should move freely, and the micro switch should activate, causing you to hear a click and hum sound. If the actuator is stuck, it needs to be repaired or replaced. When the water dispenser doesn’t make a click sound, the micro switch could be faulty. In either case, hire a refrigerator repair expert rather than trying to DIY.
If water is not coming out of the fridge, the fix is usually easy enough without needing to replace the entire unit. But there will come a day when it makes more sense to replace a refrigerator instead of trying to repair it. So how do you know if you should repair or replace your refrigerator? Here are a few clues.
You should consider replacing your refrigerator if…
It’s at the end of its life span: Refrigerators don’t stick around forever. On average, fridges last 10 to 20 years. If yours is at or near 20 years old and has several issues, it might make more sense to replace it than to continue throwing money at repairs. Here are a few signs your refrigerator is dying—watch for these as your fridge ages.
It’s out of warranty: Your refrigerator could still be under warranty, in which case you should always prioritize repair (and by a certified tech). But if the warranty has long expired, it may be worth buying a new fridge with a warranty if yours is acting up.
It doesn’t suit your needs: As the size of your family changes—or if you’ve suddenly taken up cooking and need a lot more fridge space—you may find that your refrigerator is no longer the right size for your home. If your refrigerator is broken and isn’t a good fit, don’t spend the money on the repair; upgrade to a newer, larger fridge instead.
You’re remodeling your kitchen: If you’re tackling a major kitchen renovation, especially if you’re doing it to increase the sale price of your home, you might want to consider getting all-new, matching appliances. In that case, don’t repair a broken refrigerator but purchase a new one instead.
Keep in mind that replacing a refrigerator will be more expensive, but if your current fridge keeps breaking down, you could quickly spend more money on repairs and still need to buy a new one in the near future.
On average, buying a new refrigerator costs between $900 and $8,000, depending on the model and size of the unit (and any current sales promotions). On the flip side, repairing a fridge costs between $200 and $300, though this can vary significantly depending on the issue.
If you can’t identify the problem yourself or believe a necessary repair is beyond your skill level, hire a refrigerator service professional near you. Not sure who fixes refrigerators? Depending on the issue, you can call a plumber, appliance repair pro, or even a handyperson.
The refrigerator pro can diagnose more severe problems, such as a faulty main control board, and repair delicate and difficult-to-reach mechanisms.
When your refrigerator is less than a year old, or you purchased an extended warranty, the manufacturer may even cover the repairs. If your warranty is still active, you’ll need to contact the manufacturer and file a claim to start the repair process rather than just calling a repair person directly.
